Biotech Values

[RockRat]

JNCE PD-1/ICOS combo.

The obvious caveat is that there was preclinical data to support the PD-1 combo

Well, now I'm trying to remember what I saw when researching this name for last year's charity portfolio, because now that you mention it, I can't find much in the literature that supports this combo.

Xencor and Kymab are apparently continuing with ICOS/PD-1 programs, with Xencor's being a bispecific. I know there are some pluses and minuses to bispecifics . . . Xencor will be in the clinic with theirs any day now. Here's the one poster I can find about it:

Anti-PD1 x anti-ICOS bispecific antibody XmAb23104 brings together PD1 blockade and ICOS costimulation to promote human T cell activation and proliferation

Panel B shows the activity that supposedly justifies further development. Panel D, however, gives me pause: is exacerbation of GVHD a feature or a bug in this context?

And here's Kymab's:

The combination of immune checkpoint blockers with the anti-ICOS KY1044 antibody results in a strong anti-tumour response

With more obvious benefit in models of colon, B cell lymphoma, and plasmacytoma.

Regards, RockRat